Kabanata 9

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ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 9
''Clear''

Nagsimula akong kumain pero bawat subo ko ay halos hindi ko malunok. How could I even swallow anything if Carlos has been looking at me shouting murder?!

I sighed heavily, internally. He finally knew the truth this time. Isn't it what I wanted?

''We are from the flower plantation, which Carlos is managing right now.'' Nakangiting sabi ni Senyora, at mukhang handa na sa masiglang kwentuhan. ''Napadaan lamang kami dito. I just wanted to know if it's indeed true that the only daughter of the doting father, Juan Francisco, is finally back at Santa Monica.''

I can definitely feel the tension though. Not just with my grandfather but between me and Carlos as well. Si Mama lamang at si Senyora ang medyo mahinahon, ngunit may kakaiba din kay Mama. Pasulyap-sulyap lamang ako sa kanila habang nag-uusap sila.

''And I haven't seen Georgianna after so many years. I almost didn't recognize her. She grew up beautifully. She takes after your beauty, Cattleya.''

''We weren't able to come home for a long time. Most of her younger years to present, she spent it in Manila.'' si Mama.

Senyora nodded. ''How old are you, Georgianna?''

I shifted on my seat before lifting my eyes. Una kong nakasalubong ang mga mata ni Carlos. It seems like he is waiting for another betrayal. Lumihis lamang ang tingin ko sa kanya nang sumagot para sa tanong.

''I'm twenty-three po.''

''Oh, same age as your brother, Carlos.'' masigla pa rin ang tono niya nang binalingan ang apo. Carlos remained quiet. Senyora only raised a brow before giving back her attention to me. ''You're still young, iha. I hope you get to enjoy your life to the fullest.''

She smiled at me. Titig na titig din sa mukha ko. It's like she's reading or there's something in my face, that's how the way she looked at me intently. Nailang ako kaya muli akong napagalaw sa inuupuan. Hindi pa nakatakas sa mata ko ang muli niyang pagsulyap sa apo bago muling ngumiti sa'kin.

And I thought this was already hard. Pero hindi pa pala. Tuluyan na akong namutla nang marinig ang iyak ni Eli sa may malayo. And whenever he cries, he always looks for me or Mama. Kaya paniguradong papasok sila sa dining room!

I swallowed hard when I met Carlos' intense and stormy eyes. He was gritting his teeth badly. Tila ba isang pagkakamali ko lang ay sasakmalin na niya ako. Sobrang tahimik niya na nakakatakot na. He's like Javier when he's mad, unforgiving and merciless. But Carlos' rage is wrath intensified.

''Mimi!''

I stilled on my seat when the first person Eli saw was me. He extended his hand towards me, his body is almost leaning, at halos mawala na sa hawak ni Ate. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang kunin siya at baka mahulog pa. His cries softened when he was already on my chest.

From the corner of my eyes I saw how shocked Senyora was while looking at me.

''Oh... I didn't know you...'' aniya, hindu halos matapos ang sasabihin. She probably assumed the same thing.

''Oh, no, Senyora!'' agap ni Mama, she then laughed awkwardly a bit. ''This is my son, Elias Gregory.''

Tumayo si Mama at kinuha sa'kin ang kapatid. Eli instantly recognized my mother that his crying stopped right away.

''Mama!'' Eli exclaimed.

''I myself didn't even believe that I was able to conceive again. But then, this angel came like a miracle to me.'' kwento ni Mama. ''Madalas lamang akong wala sa bahay dahil sa trabaho. Georgianna was the one who took care of her new born brother and he was even more attached to her when he grew up a bit. That's why my son is sometimes confused and he calls us both, Mama. But it's Mimi for Georgianna now.''

Hindi na ako nahiya, natakot, o kinabahan habang nakatitig pabalik kay Carlos. Hinarap ko siya. He looked a bit pained for something I do not know. He glanced at my brother and when his eyes went back to me, it held no emotion anymore.

Huminga na lamang ako ng malalim. At least, he knew now. Everything is clear now. I repeated to myself.

It was just Mama and Senyora who had been talking, paminsan-minsan ay nasasama ako kaya sumasagot lamang. Hindi na ako kailanman tinapunan ng tingin ni Carlos, not when we were eating, not when we went out of the dining room, and not when they left the house.

When I wasn't able to utter an apology or explanation, I feel like I indeed deceived him. But then, maybe it's all for the betterment of everything. Why would I explain things to him anyway? Ni hindi nga kami magkaibigan.

But my other self has been whispering to me that, at least, I should've clarified the misunderstanding, his assumptions of me. He has been honest from the start. I felt his seriousness and his sincerity. And I... wasn't.

But eventually, I somehow moved on from that. I got preoccupied too, especially since school has already started.

Sa paaralan, madalas kong makita si Vernaise Sarmiento. My cousin, Solenn Tamara is always with her. They are inseparable. Inaaya naman ako ni Solenn na sumama sa kanila, but our schedule just doesn't match. And their building is different from us.

I regularly attended my classes. I went to the library to study in my free time. And I go home at lunch time. Pero may mga araw na kapos ang oras kaya dito na ako kumakain sa school.

The life of a transferee especially in the last year is somehow lonely. Halos lahat ay may kanya-kanya nang kaibigan at kasama palagi, dahil ilang taon na din silang magkakakilala. Naalala ko tuloy ang mga kaibigan ko sa dating paaralan. We still communicate through social media, pero iba pa rin iyong kasama talaga sila.

And having group work is always the most difficult one. Hindi ko kasi alam kung kanino makikigrupo palagi. Kaya naman minsan mag-isa ko na lamang ginagawa.

''Now, I want to you come up with something new in mind.'' ani ng Professor sa harap. ''Let's have a group work this time.''

I inwardly groaned in my mind at that. Another group work, huh?

''But this time, you'd have random groupmates to divide the class equally.'' dadgdag pa niya na halos magreklamo ang lahat.

Pero sa huli sympre ang professor pa rin namin ang nasunod kahit anong pagpapapayag ng mga kaklase ko. She explained first what are the things we needed to do and come up with. And we needed to present it before our midterm examination for this subject. Nang matapos ang pagpapaliwag, she gave us the time to ask questions or clarifications as well.

After everything is settled. One by one she made us pick a paper in a small box. Bawat papel ay may number. At bawal naming tingnan hanggat ang lahat ay may hawak na rin na papel. And when everyone got their paper already, she asked us to take a look at our number.

Three. I got number three.

Medyo naging maingay ang mga kaklase ko dahil hinahanap nila ang mga kagrupo. Habang ako ay nanatili lamang sa upuan at pinagmamasdan sila.

I bit my lip. I don't know how I would be able to find my groupmates. Kailangan ko bang isigaw iyon?

''Hi.''

Napaigtad ako sa gulat nang may lalaki nang nasa harap ko. I paled when I saw who was in front of me.

Kilala ko na sa pangalan ang ilang kaklase ko. Lalo na itong lalaki sa harap ko. Sino ba ang hindi makakakilala sa kanya? Hindi nga din ako makapaniwala noong unang kita ko sa kanya. He studies here too... we have the same course... and on the same block.

''Number three ka rin ba?'' tanong niya.

Tipid lamang akong tumango. He smiled at me warmly.

''I got number three as well. I'm Lukas Montecarlo by the way.'' pakilala niya at nilahad ang kamay. ''Napansin kong hindi ka masyadong nakikihalubilo sa iba kaya nagpapakilala ako.''

I laughed awkwardly. ''Ah, hindi naman... uh,'' Tinanggap ko ang kamay niya. ''Georgianna Eleanor.''

We shook our hand before he dragged a chair from somewhere to sit in front of me.

This is Lukas Montecarlo, the younger brother of Carlos! Magkapatid sila pero mas magaan itong tingnan si Lukas. Napansin ko ring tahimik siya. They resemble a bit but Lukas is more laid back and somehow serious looking. Seryoso din namang tingnan si Carlos, but he's way too intense and rough.

He smiled again. ''Your name is beautiful but a bit long. What do they call you other than that?''

Hindi ko na napigilang hindi matawa ng kaunti. Everyone who hears my name for the first time, says that. Kaya nauso talaga iyong palayaw ko na Anya.

''Anya.'' sambit ko sa aking palayaw. ''You can call me, Anya.''

''Anya? Hmm, I feel like I heard it somewhere.'' he said, pausing to think. ''Or maybe from my friends who wouldn't stop talking about you.''

''Huh?''

He shook his head and chuckled a bit.

''Lukas! Anong group number ka?'' tanong ng isang lalaki na lumapit din sa amin. He glanced at me, and smiled boyishly. ''Hello.''

I waved a bit. ''Hi.''

''Anya and I are number three.'' ani Lukas.

Tumawa ang lalaki. ''Ah, ako din.''

Terrence. I already know his name but he still introduced himself to me when he dragged a chair too, so we can form a circle. May isa pang lalaki at isang babae ang napasama sa grupo namin. And they have been laughing nonstop because they told us how fated they are. Magkasintahan ang napasama sa grupo namin. Si Rona at Peter.

Lukas wrote all of our names on paper, I watched him do that and noticed his amazing penmanship. Maganda at napakalinis. Ngumiti lamang siya sa'kin bago iyon pinasa sa professor namin.

We started to talk about the things we need to do. Lukas was very serious. At mukhang pati si Terrence ay ganoon din. Rona was attentive too, minsan nga lang ay kinukulit ng jowa niya.

Nagpasalamat ako nang napagtanto kong mukhang mga seryoso sa pag-aaral ang nakasama ko. Sa sobrang seryoso, agad-agad gusto nilang magkita ulit kami para masimulan na. Bukas agad! It's Saturday tomorrow... wala naman sa'king problema.

''Sa bahay niyo na lang, Lukas! I heard your family is very accommodating with visitors. Laging bukambibig ng iba eh!'' tawa ni Rona. ''Baka naman, Lukas...''

I shifted to my seat at the suggestion. But then, I cannot suggest a place, too. Hindi naman pwedeng sa bahay ni Lolo.

''Masyadong malayo rin sa'min.'' ani Terrence, na napasulyap sa'kin. ''Baka hindi kayo makapunta. Kung sa bahay nina Lukas... malapit iyon sa lahat. At wala ring problema sa'kin ang pumunta doon.''

''What about you, Anya?'' tanong ni Lukas, lahat tuloy sila ay napatingin sa'kin.

''Uh, I'm fine anywhere...''

I told them I'm fine anywhere but now that I'm already in the car, on our way to the Montecarlos, I kept on shifting to my seat.

''Okay ka lang, Anya?''

Napasulyap ako kay Kael na nagmamaheno. Magkatabi lamang ang lupain ng mga De Leon at Montecarlo pero kailangan pang lumibot para makapunta sa mismong harap patungo sa kanilang bahay. At isa pa sobrang lawak din naman kaya hindi ka din agad-agad makakapunta sa mismong harap.

I smiled. ''Oo, ayos lang.''

Nagpaalam lang ako kay Mama na may group work ako ngayon. Sinabi ko rin kung saan. Ang tanging sabi niya lamang ay mag-iingat ako.

The De Leons mansion was grand but the Montecarlos were even grander or maybe their garden full of roses and the fountain in the middle made it more lavish than already it is. Lagi akong namamangha sa bahay ni Lolo, pero dito ay mas grabe! And they have the most beautiful garden I have ever seen in my life! Sobrang ganda ng bahay... no, mansion nila!

Nagpaalam na ako kay Kael nang makita na ang mga kaklase.

''Anya!'' Terrence waved at me.

''Hello!'' I greeted them.

When we were already led inside, I couldn't keep my eyes from roaming around. Para akong pumasok sa ginintuang palasyo. The staircase is magnificent, the chandelier was splendid, and they even have statues! May pasilyo rin kaming dinaanan kung na saan nakasabit ang mga painting ng iba't-ibang tao. I almost stopped on my track when I think I saw Carlos' painting.

Pero panay ang sulyap ng mga kasama ko sa'kin kaya nagpatuloy ako. Medyo nakaramdam tuloy ako ng hiya.

''This is my first time here...'' nahihiya kong sabi. ''You have a beautiful home, Lukas. I couldn't help not to be in awe.''

''Diba apo ka ni Governor De Leon, Anya?'' tanong ni Rona.

I don't really tell people that. No one has asked me too, about that.

''Ah, oo...''

She eyed me. ''Ikaw lang ata ang mahiyain na De Leon na nakilala ko.''

Uminit ang pisngi ko. I'm not that shy... I just don't know how to act yet with new people. At matapang naman ako. Sobrang tapang ko nga kay Carlos noon... wait, why am I thinking about him? Agad kong iwinaksi ang kung ano mang nasa isipan.

''Ano ka ba, Rona! Sympre naninibago pa si Anya.'' si Terrence na agad ngumiti sa'kin. ''Huwag kang mag-alala, Anya. Mababait naman kaming tao. Hindi ka namin pababayaan.''

''Sus! Lumang style na yan boy!''

Parehong natawa si Lukas at Peter sa sinabi ni Rona. Hinila na lamang ni Peter ang kasintahan niya para makapagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Terrence shyly stratches the back of his head before he continued, too. Sumabay na lang din kami ni Lukas.

Lukas led us first to the dining room for some snacks. Sabi niya snacks lang daw... kaya nagtataka ako kung bakit parang may malaking okasyon dito sa kanila nang makitang punong-puno ang mahabang lamesa.

The matriarch of the family was there, and she welcomed us warmly.

''Maraming salamat po sa mainit na pagtanggap, Senyora!'' magiliw na sabi ni Rona.

''Walang anuman, iha.'' Ngiti si Senyora. ''Sana ay mapadalas kayo.'' Nasulyapan niya ako kaya ngumiti rin ako. ''Mas gusto ko kasing maraming tao dito sa'min at lagi akong nagagalak makipagkwentuhan sa iba. Lukas, lagi mong iimbitahan ang mga kaklase mo!''

''Opo, La.'' tipid lamang na sagot ni Lukas.

''Wala po ba ang iba niyong apo, Senyora? Kahit po si Carlos? Diba po madalas siya sa Santa Monica?''

Naibaling ko ang tingin kay Rona. The mention of the name already sent shivers to my spine. Sa totoo lang ay kanina pa ako kabado. Hindi ko gustong magkita kami.

''Ah,'' si Senyora, at tumawa. ''Ewan ko ba sa apo kong iyon at magdadalawang buwan nang hindi umuuwi dito. May trabaho iyon sa Maynila pero mas madalas naman na nandito siya. Ni hindi ko alam kung baka may sama ng loob sa'kin ang apo ko.'' she let out an exaggerated sigh. ''I just hope that whatever he's feeling will soon fade, so I can see him again here.''

My eyes drifted to Senyora when I heard that. She opened her big foldable fan. Nagpaypay lamang sa sarili at muling tumawa nang marahan.

''Nag-away po kayo, Senyora?''

''I can't remember, iha.''

''Baka po Senyora abala sa girlfriend sa Maynila?'' muling tanong ni Rona. ''Ilang taon na rin naman po si Carlos. Huwag kayong mag-alala, Senyora, at baka sa susunod na uwi niya, ipakilala niya na-''

''Huh?!'' gulat na gulat si Senyora, pati kami ay nagulat sa kanya. ''Walang girlfriend ang apo ko! Wala dito o sa Maynila. Maghulos-dili ka, iha. Wala! Wala pa!''

I did not expect the reaction... we all did not expect it. Mas napahighik tuloy si Rona tila hindi makapaniwala sa narinig

Iiling sana ako kaya lang nakatitig sa'kin si Senyora kaya alanganin na lamang akong ngumiti.

''Hindi naman po ata uso ang girlfriend kay Carlos, Senyora. Baka flings po.''

I stayed silent. I ate the dessert that was given to me by Lukas, doon ang atensyon ko habang nakikinig lamang sa mga usapan.

''Hindi mapaglaro sa pagibig ang apo ko!''

Lahat kami napaigtad nang hampasin ni Senyora ang mesa ng kanyang pamaymay.

My eyes went wide when I looked at her. At tila ba hinihintay niya ang tingin ko kaya agad siyang kumalma at muling tumawa na parang walang nangyari. She was still graceful even though her mood has been switching off.

''Pasensya na at hindi ko lamang nagustuhan ang sinabi mo, iha.'' aniya kay Rona, mas marahan na ang boses at malambot. ''Hindi kailanman naging mapaglaro sa pag-ibig ang kahit sino sa mga apo ko. Lalo na si Carlos! I can attest to that. I saw him grow from the child he was before, to the man he is today. He's only very workaholic, but he's not and never a playboy.'' She glanced at my way again and smiled. ''He's serious about anything on his life. Sa pagaaral, trabaho, pamilya, at makakasiguro akong pati sa pag-ibig. Kaya walang dapat na ipagalala.''

Lahat kami ay tahimik dahil gulat pa rin sa nangyari kanina. Si Lukas ay iling lamang ng iling sa Lola niya, tila ba alam niyang ganito si Senyora.

''Wala lang dito si Carlos, nagpapahangin pa sa Maynila. Pero babalik rin iyon.''

Ewan ko ba kung ano ba talagang meron. It's either Senyora is selling Carlos or cleaning his name for the real him. She looks and sounds defensive, too. I didn't know Carlos that much... or maybe I already know some part of him... but I... no, I should forget about these things already.

I don't even know if I will still be able to face him. Hindi ko ata kakayanin. I already feel so shameless to be here at his home. Alam kong maaring galit siya sa'kin, I think that's already given. I just hope he'd eventually move on from what happened, too. Because I really don't know what I'll do once I see a glimpse of him.

Kaya badong-kabado ako kanina pa, pero nang malamang wala nga si Carlos ngayon dito ay kahit papaano ay napanatag ako.

I don't want to see him... and I know he won't want to see me, too.

                    
#ENEMYSPROPERTY